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After 45 years, the Vryheid SPCA has sadly closed its doors, signifying an end of an era.
The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) confirmed that the closure is due to a lack of community support and non-compliance with the SPCA Act.
The NSPCA explains that during the course of March 2022, the NSPCA made an effort to hold a Special General Meeting to determine the future of the Vryheid SPCA and gain community support to keep the SPCA operational.
However, the meeting was very poorly attended, which led to the closure of the SPCA due to the lack of support by the Vryheid community.
According to the NSPCA, the NSPCA and the Vryheid SPCA’s Management Committee have been trying to revive the Vryheid SPCA for several years, but to no avail, as there has been a general lack of support from the Vryheid community.
“Over the years, we had hoped that members of the community would come forward, not only to support the society, but also to take ownership of the Vryheid SPCA. Unfortunately, support has not been forthcoming, and without that support, the Vryheid SPCA cannot operate,” explained Wrolien Rabie, Society Liaison Unit Inspector of the NSPCA.
The animals that are up for adoption have been moved to different SPCAs in Gauteng and the Dundee SPCA.
Moreover, following the closure of the Vryheid SPCA, the NSPCA would like to assure the public that cruelty will still be attended to in the area by both the NSPCA as well as the Vryheid Animal Welfare Society who are now taking over the premises of the Vryheid SPCA in Vryheid.
The NSPCA further states that SPCAs around the country depend on their local communities to survive.
“The SPCA plays a vigorous role in all communities, from the protection of animals to the protection of society as a whole. Without the SPCAs, our country would be in a more dire state than it already is – we appeal to the communities around the country to support their local SPCAs to ensure their survival,” said Wrolien Rabie.
Looking at Newcastle SPCA, Heather Gero of the local animal welfare society explains that while the Newcastle SPCA is stable financially, it needs the community to get actively involved.
“As the SPCA, we need to adhere to the SPCA compliance Act. This means that people need to get involved. While we are doing well financially, we need community membership, committee members, and a management team who adhere to the SPCA regulations.”
Without Newcastillians stepping up and joining the Newcastle SPCA’s committee, Gero says the local SPCA could possibly follow in the Vryheid SPCA’s steps.
“No matter how successful the SPCA is, we are still an NPO and need to adhere to the necessary regulations. Everyone wants the SPCA to do everything, but if no one gets involved, it will drain our finances.”
Moreover, non-involvement from the community means that the SPCA is not adhering to the necessary regulations. Gero explains that this will also impact the running of the SPCA and see it being non-compliant with the rules as stipulated by the SPCA Act.
Adding to this, Dundee SPCA Inspector Sifiso Mthembu explains that the Dundee SPCA is currently working on initiatives to ensure it does not follow in the Vryheid SPCA’s steps.
These initiatives, he explains, involve generating a steady source of income and securing community support.
“For the Dundee SPCA to continue serving the community, we need financial support and the community to get actively involved, working together and not pulling in different directions.”
With this in mind, he states that the Dundee community needs to extend its hands out and work alongside the local animal welfare society to ensure that the Dundee SPCA survives and can continue to reach out to animals in need.
If you would like to play a role in assisting your local SPCA, merely Google them, give them a call and see how you can play an active role in positive change.
What are your thoughts on the matter? Share your views in the comment section below.
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3 Responses
The poor animals they need the SPCA let us know how we can help I am definitely available
Im in Newcastle ive tried to play my part and i also wanted to adopt but i have never recieved a call back as promised…i would appreciate if i can be allowed the opportunity.
This is very sad. Very sad. I am now concerned what will happen to abandoned dogs in Vryheid.